New Delhi, May 4 (UNI) The Keel laying ceremony of the first Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels (NGOPV) was held in Goa, which is a boost to the Indian Navy's pursuit towards 'Make in India’ initiatives of the nation.
The ceremony was held on Friday at M/s Goa Shipyard Ltd, Goa, and was presided over by Vice Admiral B Siva Kumar, Controller Warship Production & Acquisition, an Indian Navy statement said on Saturday.
Notably, on March 30 last year, the Ministry of Defence and M/s Goa Shipyard Ltd (GSL), Goa and M/s Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata concluded a contract for the indigenous design and construction of 11 NGOPVs.
As per the contract, seven ships will be constructed by Lead Shipyard M/s GSL and four ships by Follow Shipyard M/s GRSE.
The NGOPVs will be utilised for performing missions such as Anti-Piracy, Coastal Defence and Surveillance, Search and Rescue and Protection of Offshore Assets.
These ships will enable the Indian Navy to maintain its combat capability to protect the economic and geopolitical interests of the nation in the Indian Ocean Region.
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